5 gluten-free cookbooks you should buy

You can never have too many cookbooks in my opinion. Sometimes you might feel like attempting something super fancy, and other times you might just want something straightforward but filled with flavour. I’ve got a pretty decent collection of cookbooks but some I only look at once a year and others I use on a weekly basis.

Although I have a sizeable collection, not all of them are specifically gluten-free. As you become more confident in your cooking you feel as though you can branch out with normal recipes you can just adapt to make gluten-free.

Here are my top five gluten-free (and some non-gluten-free) cookbooks you should buy.

ONE – River Cottage Gluten-Free

As you’d expect from the River Cottage recipe book the food is rustic and delicious and mainly easy-ish. One of my favourite recipes from this book is the Prosciutto Mini Quiches because they’re so easy. There’s no pastry involved and they make a truly amazing little breakfast treat! I wrote about them on my blog a few years ago. Read the Prosciutto Mini Quiche recipe and method here.

TWO – NOSH Gluten-Free

As its tagline states ‘a no-fuss, everyday gluten-free cookbook’. And it’s just that. Nice and straightforward meals! My favourite from this particular recipe book is the Chicken and Mushroom Pilaf. Although, I don’t eat too much meat so usually make this without the chicken (makes it cheaper, too). It’s a dish full of flavour and an all-around pleaser.

THREE – Good Without Gluten

Now, this book is not one I use on a regular basis and when I do make something from here, I usually simplify it massively – only because I’m lazy. A lot of these recipes contain about 5 million types of flours and ground almonds etc. who has time for that?! Or, put simpler, who the hell can be bothered? HOWEVER, this book gives you some great ideas. For example, one of my favourite recipes from the book is a vegetable pizza – but I just add the toppings to a pizza base…because, you know, who is kneading dough on a Tuesday? I’d rather sit down and enjoy my evening.

FOUR – Gluten-Free Culinary Notebooks

This is one of my all-time favourite cookbooks because it is just filled with all kinds of stuff that has you salivating all over the pages. There are too many favourite recipes in this book but in the end, I’ve chosen the Lebanese Rice and Lentils. It is filled with so much flavour and all kinds of textures – it’s just sooooo good. I’ve made this many times.

FIVE – Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Cookbook

This was last year’s ‘must-have’ book for families, couples – pretty much anyone who wants to eat great food with less faff. And after trying A LOT of recipes in this book I am firmly on the bandwagon. There are so many great recipes in this book – all easy to adapt to suit the gluten-free diet. Just make sure anything you buy you read the label first of course. Or, if you’re a member of Coeliac UK, you can use their food scanning app. Not signed up yet? You can read all about it here. My favourite recipe in this book so far is the Baked Garlicky Mushrooms – packed with flavour, colours and you just bang it pretty much in the oven.